Understanding the types of instruments available for measuring color is important when choosing the instrument to purchase or use for your application. Because the terms colorimeter and spectrophotometer are often used interchangeably and can lead to confusion, the key distinctions between them are summarized in the table below.
A colorimeter is any instrument designed to measure the color attributes of a specimen and report results based on the Human Observer function. Understanding the different types of color-measuring instruments is essential when selecting the most appropriate solution for a specific application.
The two most common categories are Tristimulus Colorimeters and Colorimetric Spectrophotometers. Tristimulus colorimeters use three or four wide-band filters to approximate human visual response, while colorimetric spectrophotometers are purpose-built to measure color by capturing detailed spectral information and then calculating colorimetric values from that data.
Although both instrument types collect information across the same visible wavelength range (approximately 400–700 nm), they differ in how that information is acquired, processed, and reported.
| Tristimulus Colorimeter | Colorimetric Spectrophotometer |
| An instrument for psychophysical analysis – provides measurements that correlate with human eye-brain perception. Colorimetric data directly read and provided as tristimulus values (XYZ, Lab, etc.) | An instrument for physical analysis— provides wavelength-by-wavelength spectral analysis of the reflecting or transmitting properties of objects without interpretation by a human. Can indirectly calculate psychophysical (colorimetric) information. |
| It consists of sensor and simple data processor. | Consists of sensor plus data processor or computer with software. |
| Has a set illuminant and observer combination – usually C/2°. | Has many available illuminant/observer combinations that can be used for calculating tristimulus data and metamerism index. |
| Isolates a broad band of wavelengths using a tristimulus absorption filter. | Isolates a narrow band of wavelengths using a prism, grating or interference filter. |
| Is generally rugged and a less complex instrument than a spectrophotometer. | Works well for color measurement, metamerism, and variable illuminant/observer conditions. Optimal for both quality inspection and research and development. |
| Examples: Agera L2, Aeros, ColorFlex L2, MiniScan, UltraScan, Vista. |
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